Miami Dolphins

Fearless Forecast

Bucky Brooks

The Dolphins are pinning their hopes on the development of Ryan Tannehill. It’s too bad they haven’t surrounded him with enough weapons to help him thrive as a franchise quarterback. Prediction: 4-12, fourth in AFC East

Daniel Jeremiah

The Dolphins are handing the keys to their franchise over to rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill. He'll have growing pains, but the running game and defense should help keep Miami competitive while Tannehill learns on the job. Prediction: 5-11, fourth in AFC East

Adam Schein

I really like first-time head coach Joe Philbin, but this is a major rebuilding project.Prediction: 3-13, fourth in AFC East

Steve Wyche

"Hard Knocks" will be the highlight of their season. This team is in major rebuilding mode -- again.Prediction: 3-13, fourth in the AFC East

The Dolphins don't look likely to contend for the playoffs this season, so any development toward future success would be a positive.
Tannehill’s progress, no doubt, will serve as the ultimate gauge toward such possibilities. If he buds into a true NFL starter in his first year, it will justify an otherwise mediocre season ahead.

3 Pivotal Games

Week 3 vs. Jets

The Dolphins’ schedule isn’t all that difficult, so early success within the division would be the best way to somehow situate Miami to surprise some people. The teams have split their series each of the last two years, but neither side has looked particularly impressive in any of those games, leaving this one wide open for the taking.

Week 13 vs. Patriots

It’s difficult to fathom this game having playoff implications, but we should at least be finding out more about Ryan Tannehill by this point. This will be the first time the rookie would go up against the perennial powerhouse of the AFC East. Considering it’s also late in the year, it should be a proper gauge for the future.

Week 14 at 49ers

An otherwise easy schedule does get difficult with back-to-back games against the Patriots and the 49ers late in the year. Coach Joe Philbin will need to keep his team together through this stretch -- so a win (or two) would be a major plus.